HRC Blog

The Supreme Court’s Powerful Message to LGBT Youth

HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz recently sat down with 92nd Street Y, a nonprofit community and cultural center, to discuss the broader implications of the Supreme Court’s historic decisions on marriage equality this summer.

"For the first time, this Supreme Court has sent a very affirming message to LGBT youth that they are part of American society; that they are as constructive a part of our society as anyone else," said Sainz.

According to HRC’s groundbreaking 2012 survey, official government discrimination or indifference along with social ostracism leaves many teens disaffected and disconnected in their homes and neighborhood.

Though resilient and optimistic of their futures, 68 percent of LGBT youth reported hear negative messages about being LGBT from elected officials.

"Everyday, LGBT youth are sent a message that they are less than," said Sainz. "Imagine the power [the Supreme Court’s affirming message] has to a gay or transgender youth sitting in say Mississippi. For the very first time, they may very well have received the message from the highest levels of the United States government that they are in fact no different than their straight counterparts.”

According to its mission statement, 92nd Street Y is a world-class nonprofit community and cultural center that connects people to the worlds of education, arts, health, wellness and Jewish life.